With over 20 years of experience in employment law and industrial relations, my journey began in 1996 as a Research and Training Officer at MECA. My parents, T. Balasubramaniam and K. Sarasvathy, had just founded the company, and I take immense pride in being part of its formative years. Alongside my sisters, we often persuaded our father to let us take days off on our birthdays and the eves of festive holidays. What started as our lighthearted requests has since evolved into formal policies like birthday leave and half days before major public holidays—a tradition our employees continue to enjoy today.



While at MECA, I completed the CLP and, three years later, ventured into private practice with a leading KL law firm. There, I had the privilege of training under some of Malaysia’s most esteemed legal figures, including my Master of Pupilage, Justice Datuk Nantha Balan, Mr. Steven Thiru, and Dato Dr. Cyrus Das. This chapter in my career deepened my understanding of complex industrial relations and sharpened my advocacy skills.


Working on landmark cases like Colgate Palmolive v Cheong Foo Weng and Southern Bank v Ng Keng Liang was both challenging and exhilarating. Observing courtroom dynamics, particularly at the Court of Appeal, provided invaluable insights into how legal strategies unfold in real-time. My exposure to these cases taught me the importance of balancing legal advice with practical, dispute-preventive solutions—a principle that has shaped my consulting approach ever since.


I returned to MECA in 2001, bringing a fresh perspective to our consulting practice. Collaborating closely with my father, I embraced innovative approaches to workplace challenges, delving into training, policy drafting, investigations, and union negotiations. Watching my father engage with union leaders was an education in itself, teaching me the nuances of managing employment relationships. Over time, I realized that at its heart, industrial relations is about managing perceptions—a philosophy that continues to guide me.



In 2022, I co-authored A Practical Guide to the Employment Act 1955 with my father and husband, Dharmen Sivalingam, reflecting my commitment to knoledge enhancement in this field. Before becoming CEO in June 2024, I focused on family, travel, and spirituality while staying connected to MECA. I am grateful to my husband Dharmen , under whose leadership, MECA expanded its reach with new branches in Johor Bahru and Penang, supported by Victor. Observing their leadership styles enriched my perspective, preparing me to guide MECA into its next chapter. As CEO, I am honored to work with a remarkable team, driving MECA’s mission to provide HR professionals with practical, innovative solutions. Together, we are shaping a future where personalized service and professional excellence remain at the forefront of industrial relations in Malaysia.